Football game and apparatus



May 5, 1936. J. SAPP I FOOTBALL GAME AND APPARATUS Filed April 9, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet l I "/wentor A? in Attm'ney May 5, 1936. J. SAPP FOOTBALL GAME AND APPARATUS Filed April 9, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor eibrkn a y v4 Attornev Patented May 5, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

My invention relates generally to games in simulation of football and the like and to apparatus for playing the same, and an important object of my invention is to provide a game and apparatus of the character indicated which enables playing the game of football according to the rules and regulations of the game.

Another important object of my invention is to provide a game and apparatus of the character indicated which enables both offensive and defensive play by the players, the selection of the plays resulting from a combination of skill and strategy as well as chance.

Another important object of my invention is to provide game apparatus of the character indicated, which, although enabling the playing of a simulated game according to all of the rules and. regulations of the regulation football game, is simple and inexpensive in construction and capable of' being intelligently used by young and old without bothersome study and manipulation.

Another important object of my invention is to provide game apparatus of the character indicated above in which the selection of plays by the opposed players is concealed until the play has been accomplished.

Other important objects of my invention will be apparent from a reading of the following description in connection with the drawings, wherein for purposes of illustration I have shown a pre ferred embodiment of my invention.

In the drawings:- Figure 1 is a top plan view' of an embodiment of the invention. Figure 2 is a bottom plan view of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view taken through Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary transverse vertical sectional view taken through Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a side elevational view of the football.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary transverse vertical sectional view taken through an end portion of Figure 1.

Figure 7 is a plan view of adjacent portions of the two spinners.

Figure 8 is a top plan view of the linesmans chain.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the numeral 5 generally designates the top of the game board which is a thin-plateof metal or of wood or of other suitable material which is in elongated rectangular form and provided along its longitudinal center with a football field lay-out 6 which is provided with suitable 10-yard lines I and end zones 8 and 9, respectively, in each of which is located a corresponding set of goalposts I0 and. H. The table top outside of the field 6 may be of any suitable neutral color, while it adds to the realism of the game if the 5 field itself between the 5-yard lines be in a green color suggesting turf, with the end-zones 8 and 9 of a contrasting green.

Slidable along the field is the half elliptical football [2. The field may be provided along 10 its sides with marks at 2 -yard intervals to facilitate the location and moving of the football. A linesmans marker I3 is provided in fiat rectangular form of a 10-yard length and divided by lines into 2 fl -yard divisions to facili- 15 tate keeping track of the movement of the football. A downs block iii of rectangular cross section is provided on each of the four faces with one of the numerals 1 to 4, representing the four downs allowed the offensive side. The 20 downs block i5 is arranged to be laid on the top of the game board outside of the playing field with the numeral uppermost which represents the down being played.

One side of the side lines portion of the top of the game board is labeled ofiense as indicated by the numeral I6, while the opposite side lines portion of the apparatus is labeled defense as indicated by the numeral ii.

The center of the top of the game board has 30 a transversely elongated centralized opening it, while at opposite ends of the top of the game board a transversely elongated notch i9 and 20 is cut into the respective end edge of the top.

On a pivot 2| which involves a. spacer 22 is 35 a spinner disk 23 which is the offense spinner, the pivot 2| being secured to the underside of the top of the game board as indicated in Figure 3, on a line which corresponds to the 50- yard line of the playing field, and the disk 23 40 is of such a size that one edge thereof is ex posed under the corresponding side edge of the game board top and the diametrically opposite edge exposed well into the corresponding end of the opening 18 in the top 5. The underside 5 of the spinner disk 23 is provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced depending pins 24 which, during the manual rotation of the disk 23 strike a yielding spring pin 25 on the corresponding longitudinal side support member 50 26, so that when the hand of the player leaves the disk after having spun the same, the disk will come to rest in a fairly short time in a position not under the control of the player.

A defensive spinner disk 21 similarly formed to 5 the disk 23 is similarly mounted opposite the disk 23.

The table top 5 is supported on a depending frame which is composed of the longitudinal side members 26 and 28 and the transverse end members 29 and 30. The longitudinal side members have openings 3| in which the outer edges of the corresponding spinners are exposed for manipulation by the player, as clearly shown in Figure 4.

On the radially outward part of each of the disks 23 and 21 are circles containing indicia indicating the plays. The disk 23 indicates offensive plays while the disk 21 indicates defensive plays. On both disks, the outer circles 32 and 33, respectively, indicate running plays and defenses therefor; the circles 34 and 35 passing plays and defenses therefor, respectively; the circles 36 and 31 punting plays and run-backs thereof, respectively; and the circles 38 and 39 kick-off plays and run-backs thereof.

For each of the spinner disks there is a play selector which consists of a flat bar 40 which has a cross head 4| at one end having depending ears 42 slidably traversed by a, bar 43 spaced from and fixed to the underside of the top 5 as indicated in Figured, and the cross head has a pointer 44 which cooperates with the play indicating indicia 45 Which are formed on the beveled surface 46 in the corresponding one of the notches 41 and 48 which open into the notches l9 and 20, respectively, 'at the opposite ends of the game board and also have communication with the openings 49 and 50 in the upper part of the corresponding end members 29 and '3!) of the supporting frame and through which the respective play selector pointer extends into position to be operated by the player.

A supporting bar 5! 52 forms a sliding rest for the inner end portion of the corresponding play selector, and the inner end of each play selector bar 49 extends across the opening l8 and directly thereunder where the same is provided with an opening 53 of a proper size to expose a single division of the circle on the corresponding disk,

' whereby the particular division-on the play circle selected and brought into position by the spinning of the corresponding spinner will become framed and thereby designated as the play, whether offensive-or defensive. Since the pointers 44 on each of the boards are concealed from the opposed player, the selection of the plays may be made without the knowledge of the other player.

A shutter generally designated 54 is a gener ally rectangular plate having its side edges sliding in channels 55 attached to the underside of the top at opposite ends of the opening l8 and has an extension 56 to which one end of an operating lever 51 is pivoted as indicated at 58. The lever 51 is pivoted as indicated at 59 and extends through an opening -69 in the plain longitudinal side member 26 to be in a'position to be reached by the players and to be operated so as to initially close the opening l8 and hide the exposed portions'of the spinner disks-and the'selected-designation of the play selectors, untilafter the plays have been selected and the disks spun; when the shutter is opened by manipulation of the lever 51 so as to enable the players to-see the play designations established and to move the football accordingly. 7

The following is exemplary "of the manner of play afforded by the apparatus described above: Two persons station themselves, one at each end of the board. A coin is tossed and winner has choice of either kicking or receiving. The receiving side takes the offensive wheel the kicking side takes the defensive wheel. They both set their play selectors on the kickoff plays on their own respective wheels. (The shutter is closed all this time). Each spins his own wheel simultaneously, (at opening at side of board), when wheels have been spun the shutter is slid back from opening in center of field. The number in kickoff series as indicated by play selector on defensive wheel in the opening of field designates the yard line in opponents territory to which ball has been kicked. The number shown in kick off series as indicated by play selector on offensive wheel designates the number of yards the ball has been returned from the point to which it was kicked. (Note: The kicking side may also elect to put the ball in play by placing the ball on his own 40-yard line and then flicking it down the field with a finger, finger nail contacting the rear of the ball. He would do this before the shutter is slid back.) The offensive would play or return the ball as indicated on his own wheel from the point where the ball stops.- Ball moved to spot indicated.

The kick off play enacted, the shutter is closed. The player possession of ball, having moved the ball to proper place, having set the l'i-nesmans chain for first down, selects a play by means of his own play selector on the offensive wheel. The defensive player tries to anticipate the play his opponent isgci-n'g to use. He selects a defensive play by means of his own play selector on the defensive wheel. Each spins his'ow-n wheel.

For instance: The offensive player selects a running play. The defensive player selects a running play defense. The wheels are spun simultaneous-ly, the shutter is slid back. Should thedefensive player diagnose his opponents play by having his play selector set correctly the result on the defensive wheel in the running play defense is recognized by both players regardless of what 'is shown on offensive wheel. The letter S (other symbol may be used), means that the play was stopped without gain. It is then second down. If the defensive player had set his play selector on forward pass defense on his own wheel then the offensive player would take thegain, etc., as indicated on offensive wheel and move the ball accordingly. In short: If the defensive player guesses or diagnoses opponents play by means of play =selector then defensive wheel symbols are used. If the offensive :player outguesses' opponent then gainsgetc indicated on offensive wheel by play selector are recognized and ball is advanced accordingly.

As in football the offensive player has four downs or attempts to advance the ball 1'0 yards. If he fails "opponent takes ball.

If offensive player elects to punt the ball he sets his play selector on the .punting plays on his own wheel. Defensive also selects "a play (shutter being closed). Wheels are spun. Shutter is slid back. The number indicated on "offensive wheel by play selector is,. the-nuniber of yards the ball has'been kicked. 'If opponen't'has anticipated the punt by having his ownplay selector set on the punting play defense on'his own wheel then the number indicated on his wheel is the number of yardshe has returned the ball from :point to which it "has been kicked by opponent. If the defensive. player has not diagnosed the play the ball :goes into play, first down, at

point where it was kicked to. The players exchange wheels and go on with the game.

Out of bound kicks may be made in the following manner: After ofiensive player has selected punt, and wheels are spun, the player announces, before the shutter is slid back, that he is going to kick out of bounds. Shutter is then slid back and the number of yards shown on ofiensive wheel. Say it is 50 yards. The player points his ball diagonally on the field and flicks it with a finger endeavoring to send it out of bounds within 50 yards down the field. If the ball goes out of bounds 50 yards down the field it is considered in play and opponent takes it as a 50 yard kick and returns it as indicated on his wheel.

Field goals may be made in the following manner: Offensive player selects punt play on his wheel. Wheels are spun. Before shutter is opened he announces that he will try for field goal. Shutter is opened. If yardage of the punt is suflicient to reach from the point of play to the goal posts and if the opponent has not blocked the kick, the ofiensive player flicks the ball briskly with finger nail and sends it skidding toward the goal posts. The uprights of the goal posts being spaced just slightly wider than the width of the ball. If the ball goes through between the uprights it is a field goal and is scored as such. Goals for points after touchdown are scored in similar manner. Scoring is done as in football. Regular football rules to apply.

The numbers and symbols on wheels can be worked out as to plays comparative to an average football game. The detail shows some of the symbols: Fumfumble, Off or O. S.-ofiside, Irl1ntercepted pass returned 10 yards, TL-throw back for loss of 5 yards, T-touchdown, H-holding, G-goal, blocked-kick blocked, S or (dash) play stopped, KD-knocked down. It is possible for the players to enjoy practically any technical situation to be encountered in a real football game. It is possible to lose ball on fumble, recover same, block a kick, lose yardage on a penalty, intercept passes and return same for gains, kick out of bounds, kick field goals, return punts, and etc.

Although I have shown and described herein a preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be definitely understood that I do not desire to limit the application of the invention thereto, and any change or changes may be made in the materials, and in the structure and arrangement of the parts, within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the subjoined claim.

What is claimed is:-

Game apparatus of the character described comprising a top having thereon a playing field including a centralized opening, an offensive spinner disk pivoted to the underside of the top adjacent one side of the top, a defensive spinner disk pivoted to the underside of the top across from the first-mentioned disk, each of said disks including concentric circles of plays in different categories, like positioned circles on both wheels relating to ofiensive and defensive plays in their corresponding categories, said circles being exposed in said opening, ofiensive play selector means and defensive play selector means mounted under said top and having frame portions movable over the exposed designations on the disks in said opening in the top for positively indicating offensive and defensive plays to be carried out, and shutter means for closing said opening to hide the disks and the play designating means while said disks are spun and until the same come to rest, and concealed play selector position indicating means for each of said play selector means, said frame portions of the selector means being each adjustable radially of the corresponding disk to overlie any selected circle of plays.

JOHN SAPP. 

